GRAFLEX CENTURY GRAPHIC

Name: Graflex Century Graphic
Brand: Graflex

The Graflex Century Graphic is a 2×3 inch press camera made from 1949 to approximately 1956. It was a modernized successor to the Speed Graphic series, built for professional press and field work. It keeps the roll film capability of its predecessors and adds better ergonomics and mechanical reliability.

Overview

Graflex, Inc. introduced the Century Graphic in 1949. At the time Graflex was a division of General Instrument Corporation. The camera was developed for the changing demands of mid-20th century photojournalism and kept the sturdy 2×3 inch film format. 35mm cameras like the Leica and Contax were gaining favor for their portability and quick shooting. Large-format cameras were still essential for high-resolution reproduction and for press work that needed contact printing or minimal enlargement. The Century Graphic was engineered to bridge this gap - the image quality of sheet or roll film in a streamlined, more user-friendly body than earlier Speed Graphics.

The camera was aimed at newspaper photographers, government agencies, and industrial photographers who needed the resolution of 2×3 inch negatives but wanted less mechanical complexity and better durability. The Speed Graphic had a focal-plane shutter and rangefinder coupling options. The Century Graphic left the focal-plane shutter out entirely and relied only on between-the-lens shutters (typically Compur or Synchro-Compur) for flash synchronization at all speeds. That was a significant advantage in the era of flashbulb photography. The design choice simplified the mechanism, reduced weight, and improved reliability.

The Century Graphic was positioned as a simplified, cost-effective alternative within the Graflex lineup. It replaced the aging Super Graphic and served as a simplified successor to it, though it was not the final model in the line - the Speed Graphic stayed in production after the Century Graphic was discontinued. It kept the modular design of its predecessors and accepted Graflok backs for 120 roll film (yielding twelve 2¼×3¼ inch images) or sheet film holders via a standard Graphic back. The ground glass focusing screen and folding bed allowed lens changes and perspective control. It lacked the rangefinder base and rangefinder coupling found on Speed Graphic models. It came in multiple configurations, often bundled with lenses from 105mm to 135mm, commonly f/4.7 or f/4.5 anastigmats or Tessar-types from makers like Kodak, Wollensak, or Schneider.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	Large-format view/press camera
Film Format	2x3 inch (120 roll film or sheet film)
Years Produced	1949–1956
Lens Mount	Interchangeable lens boards (Graflex No. 1 or No. 3)
Shutter	Between-the-lens leaf shutter (Compur, Synchro-Compur, or Ilex) with speeds from 1 sec to 1/400 sec, B, and T; X and M flash sync
Metering	None (manual exposure only)
Exposure Modes	Manual only (shutter speed and aperture selected on lens)
Viewfinder	Folding optical viewfinder (reverse Galilean type), ground glass rear focusing
Dimensions	Approximately 8 × 5 × 3 inches (closed), weight ~2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) without lens

Key Features

Roll Film Compatibility: Uses 120 roll film with a Graflok back, producing twelve 2¼×3¼ inch negatives per roll—ideal for extended shooting without reloading.
Flash Synchronization at All Speeds: Between-the-lens shutter enables reliable X-sync up to 1/400 sec, making it highly suitable for press and studio flash work.
Modular Design: Accepts interchangeable lenses via lens boards and supports both roll film backs and sheet film holders for versatile media use.
Folding Bed Mechanism: Compact folding design with front standard with limited rise and fall only for limited perspective control and focusing.
Durable Construction: Built with a magnesium alloy body and leather bellows, designed for field durability and long-term mechanical reliability.

Historical Context

The Century Graphic came out while press photography was shifting toward smaller, faster formats. 35mm SLRs and rangefinders, such as the Nikon F (introduced in 1959) and Leica M3, offered better mobility and rapid sequence shooting, which the Century Graphic could not match. For work that needed maximum negative size and resolution, such as newspaper reproduction, police photography, and government documentation, the 2×3 inch format stayed valuable well into the 1960s. The Century Graphic filled that niche as a simple, dependable platform. It dropped the complex focal-plane shutter mechanism of the Speed Graphic, which was prone to jamming and needed precise maintenance.

Competitors in the press camera market included the Speed Graphic itself (still in production until 1973), the Burke & James Press View, and European large-format field cameras like the Linhof Press 70. The Century Graphic stood out for its reliability, ease of service, and compatibility with modern flash systems. U.S. government and law enforcement agencies favored it, where its sturdy construction and consistent performance counted for more than speed of operation. It never reached the cultural status of the Speed Graphic, which was famously used by war photographers and paparazzi. It was the final refinement of Graflex’s press camera lineage before the company exited the market.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Century Graphic is a moderately collectible camera, valued more for its historical role and mechanical craftsmanship than for active use. In good working condition, with intact bellows and a functional shutter, prices typically range from $100 to $250. Higher prices go to models with premium lenses and recent servicing, depending on lens quality and included accessories. Models with high-grade lenses such as the Kodak Ektar or Schneider Xenar command premium prices, especially if the shutter was recently serviced. The primary market is collectors of vintage press cameras, large-format enthusiasts, and analog workflow experimenters.

Before buying a Century Graphic, inspect the bellows for pinholes or tears, test all shutter speeds with a timing device, and check that the focusing bed runs smoothly without binding. Common problems are stiff or frozen lens standards, degraded leather bellows, and shutter blades that stick at high speeds because of dried lubricant. The Graflok back mechanism may also wear over time and cause film back misalignment. The camera has no light meter and relies on manual exposure, so users need a handheld meter or sunny-16 estimates. It remains a functional tool for alternative process photographers and those exploring medium-large format film.

Similar Cameras

Graflex Speed Graphic – The iconic predecessor with a focal-plane shutter and rangefinder options.
Linhof Press 70 – German-made press camera with superior movements and build quality.
Burke & James Press View – American large-format press camera with similar form factor and function.
Toyo View CM-230 – Later Japanese field camera offering greater movements and modern build.
Wista 230A – Lightweight field camera in 2×3 inch format, popular among modern large-format users.

Repair & Maintenance

The Century Graphic needs no batteries and is entirely mechanical. Shutter maintenance is the most critical part of ownership - Synchro-Compur and Ilex shutters should be serviced every 10-15 years to prevent oil hardening and speed inaccuracy. Replacement bellows are available from specialty suppliers such as Rocky Mountain Bellows or Bagby Bellows. Lens boards are interchangeable with other Graflex-compatible systems, though No. 1 and No. 3 boards must be matched to the lens board size. The design is simple, so the camera is relatively easy to disassemble and clean, though care is needed with the folding struts and spring tension. Regular use, dry storage, and periodic lubrication of moving parts keep it working long-term.